Demand for own entrance exam raised again in JNU, student union's agitation intensified; Know the demands of the students and the attitude of the Vice Chancellor

JNU Students' Union has intensified the agitation demanding the return of the entrance exam (JNUEE). Students want the restoration of the old system organized by the university instead of CUET.

Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is once again at the center of a dispute between students and the administration. This time the issue is the demand to bring back the university's entrance exam (JNUEE). JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) has intensified its agitation over this demand.

Students demand that instead of Common University Entrance Test (CUET), the university should conduct its own entrance exam, as it used to be earlier. Students believe that JNU's own exam (JNUEE) was more equitable and transparent, in which social diversity and ideological diversity was respected.

On May 24, the student union had conducted a referendum on this issue, in which about 93 percent of the students voted in support of JNUEE. That is, a large number of students want the admission process to be the same as before.

Student union president Nitish Kumar informed that he has tried to meet the Vice Chancellor several times on this issue, but every time some conditions come from the administration. Recently, the Vice Chancellor's office put a condition through email that the meeting will be held only when all four office bearers of the student union are present. But Nitish Kumar made it clear that the referendum was conducted with the consent of the President, Vice President and General Secretary, the Joint Secretary (ABVP representative) had no role in it.

The students say that if Hyderabad University and other central universities can successfully conduct their entrance examinations, then why can't JNU do so? They argue that the structure of an examination like CUET does not take into account the uniqueness of an institution like JNU. JNUSU is now busy gathering support by visiting every corner of the university, offices, departments and hostels. Discussions are being organised so that more and more students can join this campaign.

What does the student union say?

So far there has been no concrete response from the administration on this demand. But the student union says that they are not going to back down and the movement will continue until JNUEE is reinstated. Overall, this matter is no longer just about the examination system, but is also linked to the autonomy of the university and the right to student participation. This movement may intensify in the coming days.